State of Vermont reaches tentative agreement with VSEA over union contracts

Secretary of Administration Jeb Spaulding and Vermont State Employees’ Association President Shelley Martin announced today that the Administration and the VSEA have reached tentative agreements on labor contracts covering three bargaining units of the VSEA ‘ the Corrections, Supervisory and Non-Management Units ‘ subject to ratification by the VSEA membership.’ The successor contracts will cover a two-year period, from July 2014 to June 2016.’
Under the terms of the contracts, most classified state employees in the Corrections, Supervisory and Non-Management Units will receive a 2.5 percent across-the-board increase in July 2014 and an additional 2.5 percent across-the-board increase in July 2015. The contracts will also contain an annualized salary minimum that ensures those employees on the lowest end of the pay plan receive an equitable wage.’ The agreements also include enhanced dental benefits for classified employees.
In addition, the parties also agreed to several important changes to longstanding contract language that has not been changed in over 20 years, including changes to reduction in force (RIF) reemployment rights, reclassifications of job classes, and changes to improve the State’s ability to staff the Vermont Veterans’ Home and any successor facilities to the Vermont State Hospital.’ These contract changes will create sustainable savings and ease administrative constraints.’
‘VSEA is very pleased that, once again, we were able to negotiate new agreements with the State,’ said Martin. ‘It’s a testament to the strength of our Union and the commitment of our members to work in collaboration with the Shumlin Administration to ensure that Vermonters are benefiting from our members’ collective expertise. We believe these are fair agreements, and we’ll be recommending our members vote to ratify.’ Martin added, ‘VSEA members are committed to ensuring Vermont government is good government and believe these tentative agreements reflect that.’’
Secretary Spaulding also expressed satisfaction with the parties' ability to come to a negotiated agreement and avoid a protracted dispute. ‘ ‘Our state workforce delivers important services for all of us day in and day out," said Sec. Spaulding. ‘ "These contracts provide reasonable compensation for that hard work’ in line with other public sector contract agreements, while providing all our union workers and managers some’ increased predictability, flexibility and clarity through the contract changes agreed to by VSEA. ‘ They also reflect the fiscal constraints facing Vermont taxpayers and our commitment to maintain fiscal discipline.’’
State of Vermont 12.5.2013